The area of the "ghost town" of Nelson, originally called El Dorado (late 1700's) lies within El Dorado Canyon, adjacent to the historic Techatticup Mine.



Nevada Centennial Marker No. 6 reads:
"TOWARD THE COLORADO RIVER FROM THIS POINT RUNS EL DORADO CANYON WHERE OCCURRED ONE OF THE BIGGEST MINING BOOMS IN NEVADA HISTORY. GOLD AND SILVER WERE DISCOVERED HERE ABOUT 1859 AND SOON RICH MINES WERE DEVELOPED. IN THE 1860'S THE CANYON WAS BURSTING WITH A ROWDY POPULATION OF NEARLY 500 MEN, MANY OF THESE SAID TO BE DESERTERS FROM THE CIVIL WAR. THE RIVER WAS NAVIGABLE AT THE TIME MAKING IT POSSIBLE TO BRING IN FOOD AND SUPPLIES BY BOAT. NOTORIOUS FOR ITS FEUDS AND SHOOTINGS, THE CANYON WAS EQUALLY WELL KNOWN FOR ITS THREE LARGEST MINES, THE TECHATTICUP, WALL STREET AND SAVAGE WHICH YIELDED FIVE MILLION DOLLARS DURING 40 YEARS OF OPERATIONS."

Today the "ghost town" and mine lie 2 miles east of the small town of Nelson, via paved roads from Las Vegas. The area is an interesting mix of museum and junkyard, a photographers' paradise. Here there are historic (still occupied) private residences, a river and mining tour business, a museum of sorts and a delightful number of old cars, trucks, mining equipment, nicknack's and historic signs to gawk at.

  
...junkyard images
  

Continuing 6 miles down El Dorado Canyon the paved road ends on a high bluff overlooking the westerly shoreline of Lake Mohave: just above Nelson's Landing which is located at waters edge. Here one can look down on a portion of the lake and surrounding countryside, a very nice area for desert photography. Just shy of roads end a side road to the right switchbacks downslope into Eagle Wash and ends in a dirt parking area at Nelson's Landing. Nelson's Landing is most noted for a flash flood in 1974 that swept a small settlement and group of campers into Lake Mohave. Today, Nelson's Landing is a popular area for aquatic activities, cliff jumping and fishing. There are no facilities (with the exception of a primitive restroom facility) in this area, access to the lake is a short walk (not ADA accessible) from the parking area.

  

Tips:
The "ghost town" area may charge a slight fee, river adventures and mine tours should be arranged in advance. Watch your kids in the area, there are rattlesnakes around. If you visit Nelson's Landing there is no shade or amenities, bring plenty of water, sunscreen etc. A full tank of gas is a must, there is minimal to no cell coverage.
.....
nearby: El Dorado Valley Pet Cemetery
nearby: Keyhole Canyon

Directions:
From the US-93 / I-11 interchange (just West of Boulder City) head South on US-95 traveling 8.8 miles+- to the turnoff (NV-165) for the town of Nelson. Turn left (East) crossing the northbound US-95 lanes (watch for oncoming traffic) and drive 11 miles+- on NV-165 to the town-site of Nelson. Continue on NV-165 for 2 miles+- to the "ghost town" of Nelson. Continue on NV-165 for 6 miles+- to the Nelson's Landing area and Lake Mohave Overlook. Return by reversing route. Approximately 52 miles from central Vegas Strip to Nelson's Landing.